Trump Says Era of Patience with North Korea is Over

Trump Says Era of Patience Has Ended

Trump says era of patience is over as he stood next to South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House’s Rose Garden. The president said, “The era of strategic patience with the North Korean regime has failed…Frankly, that patience is over. We are working closely with South Korea and Japan as well as partners around the world on a range of diplomatic, security and economic measures to protect our allies and our own citizens from this menace known as North Korea.”

Moon-In Suggests Sanctions and Dialogue

The newly elected South Korean leader said, “The gravest challenge confronting our two nations is the nuclear and missile threat posed by North Korea. President Trump and I decided to place a top priority on addressing this issue, and coordinate closely on relevant issues. To this end, we will employ both sanctions and dialogue in a phased and comprehensive approach…to seek a fundamental resolution of the North Korean nuclear problem.”

Trump said, “Together, we are facing the threat of the reckless and brutal regime in North Korea. The nuclear and ballistic missile programs of that regime require a determined response. The North Korean dictatorship has no regard for safety and security of its people, for its neighbors and has no respect for human life. The era of strategic patience with the North Korean regime has failed, many years it has failed. Frankly, that patience is over.” Although Trump avoided criticising South Korea’s approach the president made clear he is in no mood to enter dialogue with North Korea but rather saw sanctions as the best way to proceed.

Moon Jae-in says Trump accepted his offer to visit Seoul, but they did not map out joint strategy on how to deal with North Korea.